Multiple contact switch construction



June 26, 1951 E. F. BALDWIN MULTIPLE CONTACT SWITCH CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 22, 1948 v Zn ud T J n m, M 7 0 as E. F. BALDWIN MULTIPLE CONTACT SWITCH CONSTRUCTION June 26, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 22, 1948 m r N E w I fl'rroklvsy.

June 26, 1951 E. F. BALDWIN 2,558,412

MULTIPLE CONTACT SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 22, 1948 Y 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N VENTO e. Zd/ff/F'fIBd/WZVV)? ATTORNEY.

June 26, 1951 E. F BALDWIN MULTIPLE CONTACT SWITCH CONSTRUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I NVE/VTOR.

Filed Oct. 22, 1948 wimwm Patented June 26, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTIPLE CONTACT SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Claims.

This invention relates to a multiple circuit and multiple contact, high and low tension electrical switch assembly.

This invention is particularly well adapted for use to provide for and automatically control the progressive illumination of neon signs, whether this involves spelling the words of a sign or the progressive illumination of pictorial matter.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to simplify a multiple contact switch construction so that it constitutes an electro-mechanical device easy to install and constructed eificiently to serve the purpose intended, and a device that will readily lend itself to large scale, low cost manufacture when embodied in a high dielectric plastic or insulating molded material, so that the device can be rapidly produced on a large scale.

It is a further object of the invention to construct an electric device of the above stated character in a more compact manner, making the size thereof smaller than has hitherto been deemed necessary, thus well adapting the device for more convenient installation in portable plugin types of signs as well as for installation in connection with larger outdoor types of signs, in each instance adequate high voltage capacity being combined with a sufficient number of plugins leading to different points along the tubing of the to secure commercially adequate illuminated eifects from each cycle of a single rotor brush structure which is provided to serve the complete apparatus.

Among other objects of the present invention are: to provide a sign illuminating means of the above stated character wherein only a single transformer will be required to perform the work for which a considerable number of transformers has hitherto been required; to provide a simplified mode of assembly for the apparatus; to provide a simplified, more compactly constructed housing structure and mounting means for the electrical means and motor, and its adjuncts.

A composite result of these advantages has been accomplished by producing a device which has no exposed exterior electrical conductors, all metal electrical parts being enclosed within a housing structure provided for them; and the rotor within the completed structure being so designed as to serve a dual purpose, namely, functioning as an insulative shield between the low and high tension circuits; together with providing means for opening and closing the primary circuits on one side and for the application and handling of the high tension circuit from the opposite side. This letter feature safeguards against too close electric potentials and on the secondary side telescopic intervening ridges are provided to prevent arcing from contacts to cen-' ter main line secondary feeder current if the apparatus is operated under an excessively high tension load resistance.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a multiple contact switch for the purpose stated which will more eifectively prevent the nuisance of line feed-back or electrical radiation that will produce radio interference noises, or one in which, if such noises are not entirely suppressed, that they may easily be remedied by the use of simple low-cost standard equipment designed for the purpose.

In addition to the foregoing objects and advantages, it remains to be pointed out that this device is equipped with a commercially feasible switch made more valuable by reason of being adjustable to a wide range of undertermined specific applications. With a view to putting into effect this last improved feature, an effective and simply applied bridging arrangement is pro-' vided which is applied to the exterior of the apparatus when required to hold the circuit or illumination on if the secondary connections to the unit are not all used up; or, for holding on of preceding illuminated tube sections to emphasize the message before proceeding to additional progressively illuminated tube sections; and, which is also essential to prevent arcing which would otherwise occur if tubing has insufficient intermediate electrodes. These bridges are designed to fit the unused rows of unused contacts, and are simply blocked in the conform with whatever effect is desired, or to meet an otherwise inoper able condition. If more than one bridge is desired or required, they are serially connected to each other by means of flexible plug-in jumpers.

Fig. 1 is a rear-primary exterior perspective view of a preferred form of switch casing which houses an internal rotor and affords a mounting means for the multiple primary contacts of the apparatus, the casing of the motor, which operates the selector mechanism, being includedln the view and appearing in the portion thereof nearest to the observer.

Fig. 2 is a partly sectional and partly secondary exterior perspective view of the structure shown in Fig. 1, except that the motor and its adjuncts are omitted. The scale is enlarged and the plane of section is vertical and through the central portion of the structure.

Fig. 3 is a modified sectional detail, reproducin on an enlarged scale the means shown in Fig. 8

connected to my device, said sign being exemplary of many different forms thereof.

Fig. 8 is an inner face View of the rearkcover (directed toward the observer in Fig. 1) of the casing, showing the modified detail referred to-in Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a face view of the secondary side of the interior rotor, looking at said rotor from the plane indicated by line 99 on Fig. 4. The triple fingerrsecondarylbrush appears in this view.

"@Fig. 1:0.rls .a viewwjof the ;rotorsshown in Fig. 9 viewing said 'rotor'from -:the :opposite side, the phantomrsecondary ibrushsbeing shown by broken lines.

Fig. 11 is an inside faceviiewbf :theseconda-ry cover iseoition'zcf :the casing as suggested byline I of :Fig. 4, the elements-shown in Figs. '9 and :1 bemg omitted.

:Figs. mama-1'3 are wiring diagrams.

:Fig. 14 :is .a view of amodification of Fig-5., showing bridge connecting means.

The :multiple .contact, high 'tension switch structure disclosed in "the drawings electrically connected with the sign .tube .9, iseshown mounted upon iandwithin a ='casing or housingtmade of ins'ulating-o'r dielectric material and which coniprises'a f-rontsection 10 andirearisection 'l l each of these :sections being interiorly recessed in relation to the other, 'so that space .is provided between them in which ismounteda circular 'dielecitric rotor 152. SaiGEfI'OfitrSBOtiOII il-fl has a downwardly direotedzbasal portion 13 provided with a toot-flange M suitably apertured at .each end'to receive bolts or other attaching means for securring the device to a suitable support. Said *rotor is driven icy-an electric motor vl5,:mounted upon the wear side of the :housingstructure.

multiplicityaof lcircular recesses or receptacles designated It (or ilsqzplus alower case letter") are 'aiiranged 'inrarcuate rows in the boss |F8 of .front section tlllaandextend through the thickness of said vboss. in axial "alinement with each of said receptacles 1:9, -a diametrically reduced circular hole 20Tleads ith'rough the remainder or the 'thicknesscofithe'aforesaid:housingssection H! and opens into the space defined by the Ihousing sections. hollow "metallic "secondary conduit or tap-off socket "member 2| -:occupies :each "of said re oeiitaclesrandialined holes '20, said tap-soft socket members'each' having a tubular end {portion 22 which fflts within the recesses and diametrically re'duced solidend portions 323 which 1% closely intoitheiaccompanying holes' 20. The latter are provided with rounded, :projecting eontact ends M. 3111 this *way there is, -formed a multiplicity of female plug-in terminals arranged throughoutan approximate "horseshoe-shaped jraised area. The

terminals are arranged in sets of 'three of which tlier'e is one ineach :arcuateiro'w immediately adjacent-to a terminalinithe next:row, the sets of iterminalsibeing arranged alongslines thatare'tangent to a circle concentric tottheeaxis of rotor l2. nrthe1opposite= or inner faceof said fhousingsec- %tion I 0 :istproviided. a .series of concentric :circular 4 ribs 25 which separate from each other the afore said partly circular rows of conducting elements 22 and 23. In addition to these ribs, shown as three in number, an inner concentric rib 26 is provided, centrally of which is located a hollow current-supplying terminal 21, which also functions as a bearing member for a rotor l2, as will presently be explained.

Said rotor I2 is so constructed and 'pasitioned as to cooperate functionally with "the structure which has just been described. Accordingly one "-side of said rotor is provided with a central stud Hit-which has rotational fit the aforesaid hollow terminal 27, thus affording a bearing for one side of said rotor. As an additional safeguard against --arcin"g, that face of said rotor which carries said =stud 12a is provided with a concentric series oi ribs 30, there being one of these ribs between each of the adjacent aforesaid ribs 25 and 26 of the housing member H]. The inner one of these ribs, designated 311a, is 'made semicircular :so as to provide, :at :one side, room for a two-armed leaf spring contact 3| the arms of which continuously conductively grip between them the aforesaid terminal .21. Saidcontact 3| is integral withan arm 32 of a brush 33 having three spring arms 4, -35 and .36 that are radially arranged, :respectively carrying contacts 340, 35c and 360. Segments ofsaid ribs 38 are shown cut-away in order to provide roomior the difierent .parts of said :Jcontact brush 33. V

The free end portions of said contact arms :34, ,3'5 and 36 springoutinto continuous contact-with a plurality of the aforementioned rounded'ends 24 of the stationary contacts 23 during tall the time it :is desired to illuminate the sign. 'It is desirable, however, that adark period (as to 'exterior illumination of the sign) occur between each cycle of progressive sign illumination, and the means for 'causingthis to occur'will next :be described.

Looking at :the interior of the front housing section 10 (Fig.8) there is seen a mountingstud All-of insulating material having a 'slot 4| across its upper end to receive a screw 42. 'Saidscrew serves to secure, to one side of said stud, a resilient switch arm =43, said spring arm being so tensioned that, adjacent to its -free end, it normally engages the outer end portion of a contact finger 4'4 upstanding from the inner face of the housing'member [0, said zfingerhaving .a foot portion 45 attached to said housing 'member'by screws or otherwise.

Said switch :arm 43 has an angularly bent free end portion .46 which terminates in a deflected lip A?! positioned to be acted upon, at each revolutionof *the'rotor 12, .by a cam arm48 carriedby the :rotor near its center. Said cam 'arm is 'a lateral extension of the foot portion of a control stud 1-9, :saidstud projecting centrally from that faceof the rotor which is directed "toward the front housing section 10.

The aforesaid resilient switch arm 43 is :electrically "continuous with the upstanding .arm 50 of an ;L-shaped metallic strip .having a vfootportion.-5l provided with an arcuate tail 52 whichis shownattached by screws 53 totheinner .face of the rear housing section II. With said tail 52 cooperate :an intermediate arcuate conducting strip-Mend ,an inner short conducting strip 55 (see Fig.8). From the outer end of said tail 52 leads'an electrical connection 52a, through-the wall 10f the rear housing section II, thence through 'wire 52b to the primary coil {11a of .a transformer .51. From "the opposite ,end .of said coil 51a the current passes through a wire 52c to an electrical connection 52d in circuit with the aforesaid short conducting strip 54. When the resilient switch arm 43 is open, the current is shunted through a resistance 56 and so reduced in the primary coil 51a of the transformer that nominal induction to the secondary coil 51b exists and is of inadequate voltage to illuminate the tubing of a sign. The secondary coil 51b of the transformer has one end connected at 59 to one end of tubing 12 of a neon sign and its opposite end connected by wire 59a to the circuitcompleting terminal 590.

The shunted resistance 56 cushions the full load impact (make and break) of the circuit to the transformer primary coil making for longer life.

If the shunted resistance extends with leads to the outside and consists of incandescent light bulbs, the energy thereby shunted may be utilized in form of glow-light or other signal effects while tubing on sign is at dark period. The capacity of the shunt resistance should not exceed approximately 15 per cent of the primary coil capacity of transformer.

In Fig. 6 is shown a typical jumper bridge 60, one or more of which may be used to increase the range of illuminated sign efiects when a sign does not contain suflicient letters or tubing electrodes to require using the entire number of socket terminal plug-in points 22. In such cases these triple inlet-out1et bridges 60 are used in order to complete the necessary internal secondary circuit. A typical bridge member 6!! consists of paired twin. bridgemembers GI and is provided with three plug-in projections or fingers 62, each said finger being shown as a longitudinally split prong. Said bridge members 6| are united by means of a flexible detachable connector 63.

As many of the aforesaid bridges are used as are required to complete the unused secondary tap-off secondary socket terminal groups on the control assembly. When more than one bridge is required, each bridge is then series connected to the next succeeding bridge by means of the flexible detachable connector 63 furnished with each, until the last bridge is plugged in. Thus the illumination of the tube or sign is held on until the rotor [2 has reached the final stage of each cycle.

The flexible terminal leadof the last bridge, if not used, is pulled out inasmuch as this last bridge has completed the circuit to the end of the cycle resulting from a complete rotation of said rotor.

Use of these bridges provides a wide, flexible range of illuminated tube effects, by applying them where desired (always to the last master electrode of a tube section) to prolong preceding illumination, then straight socket terminal wiring to additional tubing (an aforesaid detachable connector being tied to the preceding tube section) for additional pick-up illumination and again holding to the end.

Fig. 14 illustrates the use of a connected series of the aforesaid bridges, such as is required when the apparatus is hooked up to a sign a good deal shorter than is required to use up all the terminals of the horseshoe-shaped arrangement shown in Fig. 11, and it is desired to illuminate such a sign without any long dark period occurring between cycles. To accomplish this when the contact supplied by the lead 64 of Fig. 14, supplies the terminal part 64st of the short sign shown in Fig. 7, the current is passed through the series of leads 64a, 64b, 64c and 64d, which connect the already described bridges 6| (see Fig. ,6). When the gap in the horseshoe shaped arrangement of the contacts is first reached by the three-armed brush 33 (see Fig. 9), the current will pass through all the leads and bridges shown in Fig. 14, and will then progressively pass through a lesser number of the leads until finally it will pass through only the lead 64d.

In the wiring diagram shown in Fig. 13 an assembly of current output wires 10 is shown, one end of each wire being plugged into its proper secondary socket of the series l9 shown in Fig. 5, the opposite end of each wire being connected with the proper terminal of the row of terminals H of the sign or tube 12. These wires are all connected up in a proper sequence at both ends, so that, under the automatic control of the revolving rotor l2, they progressively spell out words, letter by letter, from one end of the sign to its opposite end; or else, progressively illuminate the sign tube in other ways, according to the structure of the sign. A conventional number in small type should be inscribed next to each contact socket IQ of Fig. 5 and a corresponding number inscribed next to the tube terminals H, to aid the operator in making the hook-up with the sign.

By comparing Figs. 5 and 13 it will be seen that the plug-in receptacles IQ for the wires 10 are arranged in rows of three, said rows extending transversely of the horseshoe shaped raised area which they occupy and each row being inclined rather than radial, in relation to the length of said horseshoe shaped area. This arrangement of the plug-receiving receptacles is provided in order that the radially alined switch contacts 340, 35c and 360 may engage the stationary contacts 24, with which they cooperate, in a proper sequence. This part of the device is so constructed that current will be continuously supplied to the sign resulting in a continuous illumination of the latter, until the moving switch contact arms reach the gap represented by the space between the outer ends of the limbs of the horseshoe shaped contact carrying area. Thus continuous illumination of the sign during the travel of the triple contact brush 33 over the stationary contacts 24 carried by the horseshoe-shaped area, results from the fact that the outermost of the three fingers of the brush will have advanced to the next stationary contact before the middle finger of the brush has left the contact with which it is in engagement.

During the illumination of the sign by the secondary electric current, the current is supplied to the sign with sufficient voltage to cause the gas in each increment of the sign tubing between terminals H to ionize with resultant radiant illumination. As the rotor continues to turn and the three-armed secondary brush is advanced thereby, the three fingers of said brush flex slightly upon touching and leaving the raised contacts with which they cooperate, the fiexion of said fingers being only enough to allow for sufficient electrical circuit conduction. This flexion is so small that only a slight power is required to produce it, said brush fingers being so designed and positioned in relation to the raised contacts with which they cooperate that they sweep over said contacts with only a minute fiexion action, and are not permitted to touch or scrape the insulating material. Otherwise metallic deposits would accumulate upon said insulating material 7 and develop into 'rel'ectrical "conductors which would causeshort circuits together with ide'terio- .ration of the insulating material.

In the wiring diagram of Fig. 12 is shown the means .for automatically eliminating the :precediing progressively illuminated tubing on 'thesign and means 'forutil'izing primary circuit energy :for auxiliary illumination of the sign at what would otherwise be a dark period, that is to say, during the gap between the output of the :secondary'outlets, indicated by the gap shonwbetween out-putterminals in the lower portion of 'Fig. :13. When the three-'arme'dbrush 33 reaches the aforementioned gap at'theop'en side of the horseshoe-shaped area, the "resilient switch arm 43 :("see Fig. 8-) is acted upon by the cam w '(see .Fig. I thusshunting the transformer primary circuit through an incandescent light resistance J (Fig. '1) externally substituted for resistance 56 (Fig. 8) with conductor leads secured to 42 "I and 55 and'thereby causing the tubing 12 to be unilluminated but glow-light radiation from the conventional electric lamp may "be thrown upon the sign from any vantage point desired. Also,

:it may be desired, throughout this :same glow" or dark period, to have full supply line poten tial electrical energy available 'for maximum lamp globe light radiation or for other electric power purposes supplied through cord contaming-the two -leads '1'? and 18, these leads respectively passingthe'current through the'leads "19 and 85! of a transformer 8! or to such other "devicesior which full loa-denergyis desired.

The switch mechanism whereby the rotor l2 controls the illumination of the aforesaid lamp 15, will nowbe described. Regarding Figs. 3 and 8, the structure shown in the former view is a modification, but has been described first because of being simpler than that shown on the latter-view. The structure shown in Fig. 8 contains parts which are duplicated in Fig. 3, and which are, therefore lettered the same in both these views. In addition, in Fig. 8 a piece of insulating material is shown attached to the back side of the primary switch arm 43 to engage a secondary resilient switch arm 86 and 'cause the latter arm, when closed, to engage a -'contact'-post'81 carriedby and in electrical con- .nection with arcuate conducting plate 54, current being conducted to the opposite endof said .arm 86 by a wire 89, which is continuous with '%one of the wires or" the lamp cord '16 of Fig. .1. 0n the opposite side of this circuit is a wire 90 which is continuous with the other wire of said lamp cord it. Said wire 90 leads from said lamp cord to the short conducting plate of Fig. 8,

said plate 55, in turn, being electrically continuous with an upstanding contact post 9| which is electrically contacted by the aforesaid resilient switch arm 43, except when the lip 41 of said arm to the gaseous tubing, or the tubing itself on the sign becoming accidentally broken.

.In Fig. 11 the-final extended segmental contact of the inner row of contacts 24 is shown provided with an extension '81 positioned to prolong the current cycle (illumination in tubing) for a 8 period :after complete illumination or the sign, it being understood "that during this prolonged period the "transformer 51 reduces the voltage, so that when the inner finger 340' of the switch arm '32 leaves said extension 81, no injurious arcing results.

I claim:

1. A switch unit comprising a two-sectionhollow dielectric housing-havinga "substantially circular interior space, "a dielectric rotor in said space and having a transversewall dividing said space into two parts-one housing'section having a wall provided with an outwardly extending horseshoe-shaped boss, a plural series of arcuately arranged contacts extending through said boss, a current-conducting brush mounted to rotate with the rotor and having a spring arm for successive electrical engagement with the contacts of each respective series thereof, circular ribs on thehousing section having the boss and concentrically ar-ranged about the center of rotation of "the rotor and brush and extending into the space part that-isdefined between said one housing section. and the transverse wall of the rotor, said ribs constituting barriers preventing arcingbetween-t-he contacts of one series and those'of an adjacent series, and circular concentric "ribs 'on the-t-ransverse wall-ofthe rotor and extending into interlacing relationship with the ribs on thehousing section, the ribs on the rotor being interrupted to provide a space in which the brush resides.

2. A switch unit according to claim 1: the plural series of contacts-being arranged insets in which one contact -of each "series is immediately adjacent to a contact in the next series, said sets-of contacts being1ar-ranged along .lines tangent to a circle ccncentric to the axis of' the rotor, the --contact-engaging portions of the spring arms of the brush being arranged radial to said axis.

3. The'com-bination with :a switch unit-according to claim 1,-of jumper bridge means to-electrically connect at least one contact-of each 'series-ofcontacts of said unit-said jumper bridge means comprising electrically connected prongs engageable with said contacts from the outside of the housing section mounting said contacts.

4. A switch unit comprising a two-section hollowdielectric housing having a substantially cir cular interior space, a dielectric rotor in-said "space and having a transverse wall *dividingsaid space into .two parts,--one :housingsection having a wall provided with an outwardly extending horseshoe-shaped --boss, a plural series of arouately arranged contacts extending through said :bo'ss, a current-conducting brush mounted .to rotate with the rotor and having a spring arm for successive electrical engagement with the contacts of each respective series thereof, circular ribs on the housing sectionhaving the boss and concentrically arranged about the center of rotation of the rotorand brush azndextending into the space part .thatris defined between said one housing section and the transverse wall of the rotor, said :ribs constituting :barriers preventing arcing between the contacts of :one series and those of an adjacent series, circular concentric ribs on the transverse wall of the rotor and-extending into interlacing relationship with the ribsonthe housing *section, the ribs on the rotor being interrupted to provide a space in which the brush resides, said series of contacts and brush constituting assecondary high tension circu'it .means, and primary-circuit make and break elements carried by the other housing section in the other space part, said rotor embodying a cam to control the operation of the primary circuit elements, the mentioned transverse wall of the rotor constituting a dielectric barrier isolating the primary and secondary circuits of said switch unit.

5. In a multiple contact switch structure of the kind described, a housing of insulating material comprising a front section and a rear section, each of said sections being internally recessed in relation to the other so that a space is provided between them, a dielectric rotor mounted within said space, the front housing section having a front wall provided with a plurality of passages therethrough, said passages being in concentric rows which are distributed'throughout a horseshoe-shaped area of said front wall thus providing a space at one side of such area which is free of passages, a contact in each passage, a resilient switch arm mounted upon the front face of said '10 rotor, said switch arm having a circumferentially elongated contact finger for each row of contacts, each of said fingers carrying a contact part at its free end arranged successively to engage the contacts of the aforementioned rows of contacts, and jumper bridge contact means comprising electrically connected prongs for short-circuiting certain of the contacts of the several rows thereof, as desired, said prongs being connectable to the contacts from the outside of the housing.

EUGENE F. BALDWIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

- UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 20 873,020 Collins Dec. 10, 1907 2,254,560 Baldwin Sept. 2, 1941 

